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Health & Medicine

The Museum's collections of medical science artifacts represent nearly all aspects of health and medical practice. Highlights include early X-ray apparatuses, such as one of Wilhelm Roentgen's tubes, penicillin mold from Alexander Fleming’s experiments, and Jonas Salk's original polio vaccine. More recent acquisitions include the first artificial heart implanted in a human, the earliest genetically engineered drugs, and materials related to David, the "Bubble Boy." Other artifacts range from artificial limbs and implant devices to bloodletting and dental instruments, beauty products, and veterinary equipment. The contents of a medieval apothecary shop and an 1890s drugstore form part of the collections, along with patent and alternative medicines. The collections also document the many differing perspectives on health and medical issues, from patients, family members, doctors, nurses, medical students, and out-of-the-mainstream health practitioners.

This vase-shaped drug container has a flared foot and lip with a whitish-gray tin-glaze with a blue design. Palm leaves create a heart-shaped cartouche which is flanked by two Native Americans (Urdang refers to the figures as Moors) holding bows and wearing a quiver and grass skirts. At the top of the cartouche two putti are holding a circular medallion. The interior of the shield is marked, "SYR CARD BEN 1708".

Carduus benedictus, also cardui benedicti is also known as the Blessed Thistle is used as a tonic and stimulant for headache, the plague and the French Pox (syphilis). Varying amounts of drug can cause vomiting and perspiration.

According to Urdang the intertwined initials within the medallion "JHC" are those of Johann Heinrich Christmann, owner of the Moor Pharmacy in Schmalkalden from 1707 to 1710. The provenance is confirmed by W.-H. Hein and D.A. Wittop Koning in their book Deutsche Apotheken-Fayencen. Urdang sees a stylistic relationship between this container and 1991.0664.0716.0717.

The Roche Collection of apothecary jars has a similar jar illustrated in their catalogue. The decoration is almost identical except for the label “Elect Reqnicol", and a few differences of the decorative motif.